The study wasn't very large. As Zhang Yang stepped inside, four people were already seated: Zhang Yunan and Zhang Daofeng were both present, along with Long Feng, and one other person Zhang Yang hadn't expected.

Long Jiu was sitting inside, and upon seeing Zhang Yang enter, he quickly stood up.

"Yangyang, you’ve returned at the perfect time. Long Jiu has brought us some crucial news!"

Seeing Zhang Yang arrive, Zhang Daofeng quickly called out, and Long Jiu also stepped forward to greet him.

Toward Zhang Yang, Long Jiu's attitude was exceedingly respectful.

In fact, Long Jiu's feelings at this moment were complex. He knew Zhang Yang was more formidable than him, but he hadn't anticipated that in just a few short months, Zhang Yang would become an existence he now had to look up to entirely.

He was perfectly clear on the mission he had been given: to repair the relationship between the Long family and Zhang Yang to the greatest extent possible. The conditions Zhang Yang had set forth were not overly demanding, and the Long family was to agree to whatever they could manage, even if it required significant effort.

The family’s explicit instruction stressed that this was between the Long family and Zhang Yang personally, not the Long family and the Zhang family. This detail alone revealed the immense importance the entire Long family placed on Zhang Yang.

"Grandpa, what is the news?"

Zhang Yang exchanged a brief greeting with Long Jiu before immediately asking, as the matter Zhang Daofeng mentioned was what truly held his attention.

However, he now also understood who the guest Qu Meilan had spoken of; no wonder Long Feng had escorted him in.

"The Huyan family has relocated their entire clan. Only one insignificant disciple and some servants remain at the Huyan headquarters. Currently, all we know is that they have split into two factions; we do not know where they have gone specifically!"

Zhang Daofeng spoke with solemnity. Huyan Feng’s relentless pursuit of Zhang Yang had prompted the entire Zhang family to prepare to strike against the Huyan family, anticipating a significant conflict.

But unexpectedly, before the battle could commence, the enemy had fled first. Both Zhang Daofeng and Zhang Yunan felt a degree of frustration.

"They really relocated?"

Zhang Yang questioned softly, sounding perhaps a little surprised, though it was only surprise, not shock.

Zhang Pinglu had informed him just yesterday that given Huyan Feng's temperament, the Huyan family would certainly hide. Zhang Yang was only surprised by the speed of their evacuation—an entire family relocating was no small feat.

For families like theirs, having resided in one location for centuries, uprooting everything was immensely difficult. Never mind centuries; even moving a single person after living somewhere for a few years often brought reluctance and required extensive preparations.

"Yangyang, did you perhaps know they were planning to move?"

Zhang Yunan suddenly inquired, having noticed a hint of foreknowledge in Zhang Yang's demeanor.

Zhang Yang nodded and quietly replied, "The Old Master mentioned last night that Huyan Feng is cautious by nature. Now that he is severely injured and knows he has gravely offended our Zhang family, he will certainly go into hiding. The Old Master has already gone to investigate where they are hiding!"

Long Feng and Long Jiu were both present, but Zhang Yang held nothing back concerning his own grandfather. This time, Zhang Pinglu was absolutely determined to secure justice for him.

Long Jiu and Long Feng exchanged a glance; within Long Jiu’s heart, besides shock, there was a deep current of envy.

A sparse population had its advantages, one being unity. The Zhang family was small but exceptionally cohesive; when trouble arose, everyone acted with one mind. This was unlike their Long family, which was divided into several internal factions. While the internal struggles weren't violent, they certainly existed.

Coupled with the fact that every member of the Zhang family possessed the strength of the Fourth Layer, such a unified family was even more formidable.

"So that’s how it is. If the Old Master personally takes action, they certainly won't escape!"

Zhang Yunan nodded. Upon first hearing that the Huyan family had fled, he had felt as though he’d prepared to swing a fist, only to find the enemy had vanished, unreachable—like preparing a large club to teach someone a lesson, only to discover the target had disappeared without a trace, rendering the weapon useless.

"Mr. Zhang... Mr. Zhang, when I came this time, the Clan Head specifically instructed that whatever you require, our Long family can cooperate. We can even place the Long family’s Outer Sect disciples at your disposal!"

Long Jiu looked at Zhang Yang and spoke quietly.

The Long family had clearly invested significant effort regarding Zhang Yang. They could not openly assist in the Zhang family’s struggle against the Huyan family, but they could provide substantial clandestine support.

For instance, the Long family’s Outer Sect was a vast entity with reach across the entire nation. Placing this force under Zhang Yang’s command was akin to handing him a significant asset.

This asset should not be underestimated. While they couldn't directly fight the Huyan family for him, they could offer Zhang Yang immense help in other areas.

For example, they could thoroughly eradicate the Huyan family's influence in the secular world. These secular forces served as the Huyan family's eyes and ears externally; without them, the Huyan family would lose their intelligence network in the mortal realm, effectively becoming completely isolated.

Secondly, they could aid Zhang Yang in scouting information. They might not be able to track the movements of Huyan elders or high-level experts, but ordinary Second Layer disciples or servant staff would not escape their notice if they appeared. Through these contacts, they could uncover much about the Huyan family's affairs.

In summary, the Long family intended to use every means possible to assist Zhang Yang fully.

Of course, their actions were also motivated by a shared desire to strike against the Huyan family. During the last Long Family Grand Competition, the Huyan family had colluded with the Li and Hua families to bully the Long family—a deep thorn in the side of the Long lineage.

"I understand. Please convey my thanks to Clan Leader Long later; I will remember this favor from the Long family!"

After hearing Long Jiu's proposal, Zhang Yang slowly nodded. He had a degree of understanding regarding the Outer Sect disciples; their presence nationwide made them a truly useful auxiliary force.

He wasn't one to refuse such assistance, especially when facing a millennium-old family. Every advantageous resource should be utilized.

"You can rest assured, I will certainly convey your message!"

Long Jiu quickly nodded. Zhang Yang’s acceptance was a relief; he had even planned to enlist Long Feng's help to persuade Zhang Yang if he had initially refused. This entire offer was a deliberate step in their Long family's effort to mend ties with Zhang Yang.

The Long family’s sincerity this time was evident. After receiving Long Jiu’s assurance, Zhang Yang allowed Long Feng to escort him out for a rest, remaining in the study with Zhang Yunan and Zhang Daofeng.

"Yangyang, it seems your progress has made even the Long family extremely wary," Zhang Yunan commented with emotion once the two Long family members had departed.

The Long family’s strong desire to help stemmed from recognizing Zhang Yang’s immense, unstoppable potential, leading them to court his favor wholeheartedly. But millennium families always prioritized their own interests first; there was a reason behind everything they did. There was no such thing as a free lunch in this world, nor free pie from the sky.

"I understand, and I am clear on the Long family's objective. Uncle, although our Zhang family appears powerful now, we cannot afford to offend every great family. When dealing with the Huyan family this time, it’s inadvisable to create enmity with others. Since both the Long family and the Li family have proactively shown goodwill, I will accept it. As for the future, that will depend on their continued conduct."

Zhang Yang spoke slowly, projecting an aura of powerful confidence. He was only in the early stage of the Fourth Layer, yet his words carried the weight of someone who could dictate the fate of two major families. In the past, such talk would have drawn ridicule, but neither Zhang Yunan nor Zhang Daofeng sensed any arrogance in Zhang Yang’s tone. At twenty-one, being at the early Fourth Layer, and having mastered a sword technique usually reserved for Fifth Layer experts—a technique allowing him to contend with those in the middle stage of the Fourth Layer—Zhang Yang possessed the foundation for such audacity. The two great families were indeed showing deference to him. (To be continued.)

For more novels, visit storyread.net.